Practicing and training putting guide for golfers



May 12, 1964 J. PARKER 3,132,865 PRACTICING AND TRAINING PUTTING GUIDE FOR GOLFERS Filed Oct. 16, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 John Parker 1N VEN TOR.

May 12', 1964 J. PARKER 3,132,865 PRACTICING AND TRAINING PUTTING GUIDE FOR GOLFERS Filed Oct. 16, 1961 i 3 Fig.2 I

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.3

John Parker 1 N VEN TOR.

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United States Patent 3,132,865 PRACTICING AND TRAINHNG PUTTING GUIDE FOR GOLFERS John Parker, 208 1st Ave. N., Indian Rocks Beach, Fla. Filed Oct. 16, 1961, Ser. No. 145,084 4 Claims. or. 273-192 This invention relates to golfers practicing, training and skill developing devices and has to do with a specially constructed and uniquely designed adaptation which when eificaciously used will enable the user to gradually perfect the skill thought to be necessary to putt a golf ball in a consistently acceptable manner.

A general objective is to provide an innovation in this line of endeavor which is light in weight, strong and durable and which lends itself to practical usefulness under actual playing conditions (using a regular golf ball) on standard grass and sand greens, level or not, training and practicing greens (natural or artificial) both outdoors and indoors where, for example, a rug serves as the green. To this end, the construction is such that portable support means, a component of the device, is such that it is not only well balanced and self-standing but rests on its supporting foundation with certainty, and in fact with reqquisite nicety and does not injure, damage, mar or deface the foundation-surface regardless of the nature thereof.

Another object of the invention is to perfect an economicaleasy-to-use simplified swing perfecting device which is such in construction that it functions to accommodatingly suspend and guide a golf putter, any style, of course, through the (1) back swing and (2) follow-through while at the same time poising and holding the head of the club, throughout the stroke, at a desirable right angle to the intended path of the golf ball, limiting the head to travel in an intended arc.

A further object of the invention is to provide a skillacquiring putter swinging and stroke guiding device which is portable, capable of being dismantled, compact and convenient for handling and transportation and which is, more particularly, capable of according the user such aid as is necessary to develop the skill to swing the putter through an ideal path so as to perfect his putting skill and to do so without needlessly encumbering the putter in a manner which prevents the golfer from experiencing the natural feel of the club.

In carrying out the preferred embodiment of the invention a construction has been evolved and produced wherein the putter is readily removable from the guideequipped support or stand so that the user may employ it in placing the golf ball in the proper position for the stroke without the necessity of bending or stooping. The device functions also as a means of assisting the user in developing the proper stroke in order to obtain various distances in putting the ball and to provide an adaptation possessed of good appearance, which requires the expenditure of little or no time in properly maintaining the device for use and is characterized by a minimum of component parts much to the advantage of manufacturers, retailers and users.

It is another aspect of the concept to provide a device which can be utilized by any golfer regardless of height or stature or stance, regardless of the type of putter which the golfer favors and which when consistently used will assure the user that he will be able to coordinate faculties and facilities in achieving beneficial results.

Briefly summarized the preferred embodiment of the invention is that which is herein disclosed and which is characterized by a number of improvements. One improvement has to do with a simple and practical putter supporting and guiding means. readily applicable and removable attachment embodying a shaft-embracing fork or clamp and also a simple axle or This means comprises a 3,132,865 Patented May 12, 1964 journal on which a flanged roller is mounted for free rotation.

Then, too, novelty is predicated on the portable knockdown support means which, as stated, lends itself to adaptable and practical use on various surfaces whether level or not, said means being characterized by a selfsupporting stand. More particularly, the stand comprises a tripodal base embodying properly related legs, said base supporting an elongated horizontally disposed yoke or frame. This yoke, in turn, is provided with an elongated horizontally disposable guide, for example, a guide rod or rail, said rod being properly bowed longitudinally and supported or suspended between upstanding end portions of the yoke.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective of a golfers practicing and training guide or device wherein the essential components appear in assembled relationship but with the putter or club removed;

. FIGURE 2 is a View in elevation which may be said to be of front elevation and wherein the putter is shown in use;

FIGURE 3 is a section on the vertical line 3 -3 of FIGURE 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged view in section and elevation taken on the horizontal line 44 of FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the expedients which go to make up the aforementioned attachment-type putter carriage.

Starting with the base or support means this aspect of the concept is designated as an entity by the numeral 8. Broadly it comprises a portable knockdown stand. More specifically it comprises a three-legged stand which is referred to as tripodal and which is made up of two parts; namely, the inverted U-shaped unit 10 and the easel-type brace or prop (the third leg) 12. The part 10 is formed from aluminum of prerequisite gauge (other material being usable) and the same comprises a horizontal substantially straight bight portion 14 provided with outwardly and downwardly disposed or oblique-angled legs 16 and 18. The back leg or prop 20 is as shown and has an angular portion 22 which is notched to provide a shoulder and an attaching lug 24, the lug underlying the central part of the bight portion and having an aperture carrying a thumbscrew 26 which is threaded into a hole provided therefor in the bight portion thus making the desired separable connectionbetween the part 10 and leg or prop 20. t

- The guide means comprises an elongated rod or rail 28 which is longitudinally bowed to assume the arc depicted in the drawing, this rod being circular in cross-section as shown in FIG. 3. It is suspended or supported directly above the plane of the bight portion 14. To accomplish this an adapter is employed. The adapter comprises an elongated yoke 30 having a horizontal portion 32 which rests atop the bight portion and which is secured thereto by headed fasteners 34. The end portions of the yoke denoted at 36 are directed upwardly and are provided with holes therein to receive and maintain the terminal ends of the guide rod 28.

. The putter is of conventional construction and comprises a shaft 38 and head 40. The means for mounting and supporting the putter on the track or rail is as shown to best" advantage in FIGS. 4 and 5. Starting with the fork 42, this comprises a cylindrical body 44 which is provided on the lefthand side with fork arms or fingers 46 which are externally screw-threaded at 48 to accommodate the knurled ring nut 59. The V-shaped crotch 52 provides a seat for the handle of the club. On the other side the body is provided with an axial extension defining an axle or journal 54 which is threaded at 56 to accommodate the acorn nut 58. The numerals 60 and 62 designate suitable assembling washers.

It will be observed in connection with the invention disclosed that it provides a device which utilizes a natural putter unencumbered by and device save the small roller 64 and means attaching it to the shaft 38. This roller comprises a hub portion with spaced parallel flanges 66 which straddle the rod. The hub portion has a concave endless channel therein as at 68 (FIG. 4) which conforms with requisite nicety to the convex surface of the rod and can be fulcrumed thereon.

The invention will accommodate any type, style or length of putter. The blade or head 40 of the putter moves through a vertical arc and maintains said head at right angles to the intended path of travel at all times. It will be noted that there is no plate-like or an equivalent base such as would wobble and move out of position on a green surface that might be inclined or perhaps irregularly contoured.

It will be further evident that the device provides a guide rod are set so as to raise the club on the backswing and follow through and which is mounted on the base or stand so that the club head at all times throughout the stroke is at right angles to the intended path of the ball.

It will be further noted that there are no component parts i in the simple roller-type carriage to increase friction or to promote drag or to in any manner interfere with the free and unrestricted back and forth travel of the roller on the guide rod.

It is submitted that the specification when considered in conjunction with the views of the drawings and the invention as claimed will enable the reader to obtain a clear and comprehensive understanding of the construction, the arrangement and association, of component parts, the features and advantages and the new and improved results attainable. Therefore, a more extended description is believed to be unnecessary.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination, a putter having a shaft provided at its lower end with a laterally projecting head, a putter supporting, guiding and handling clamp comprising a body having an outer end thereof provided with an aixally aligned fork, said fork having a pair of spaced parallel coplanar fingers, said fingers being screw-threaded at the free ends thereof, said shaft being seated in the crotch provided therefor at the juncture of the body and said fingers, an assembling and clamping nut screwed on the screw-threaded ends of said fingers, said bodybeing provided at an inner end with an axially aligned axle, said axle being reduced in cross-section compared to the crosssection of said body, said axle terminating in a screwthreaded shank having a removable nut thereon, a putter supporting and guiding roller journaled for free rotation on said axle between the body and nut, said roller being of an outside diameter appreciably greater than the outside diameter of the'aforementioned body and the component parts cooperatively associated therewith.

2. A practicing and training guide for golfers comprising a portable tripodal knockdown stand embodying an inverted Ushaped member having an elongated linearly straight bight portion provided at its respective ends with depending coplanar legs, a third leg, said third leg constituting a prop and having an upper end detachably joined to a median portion of said bight portion, the lower ends of all of said legs being of restricted transverse section and adapted to have minimal contact area with the putting green or other surface supporting said stand, an elongated yoke having a linearly straight body portion resting atop said bight portion and separably connected thereto, said yoke being provided with upstanding .integral terminal end portions, a longitudinally bowed guide rod circular in cross-section and of a cross-section less than the cross-section of said yoke and the terminal ends thereof, said guide rod being positioned directly above the yoke and being coplanar therewith whereby no portions of the rod project beyond forward or rearward surfaces of the yoke, an axle having means at a forward end thereof to fasten the same in operative positions on the shaft of a putter, and a tracking and guiding roller mounted for free rotation on said axle and'residing slidin gly but removably on said guide rod.

3. A device for practicing a putting stroke comprising: a portable knockdown tripodal stand embodying an inverted U-shaped member embodying an elongated horizontal bight portion provided at ends thereof with de pending legs, a prop, said prop providing a third leg and having an upper end separably joined to a median portion of said bight portion, an elongated linearly straight yoke residing lengthwise and fastened removably atop the bight portion, said yoke being of a length greater than the length of said bight portion, said yoke having integral upstanding terminal ends, a longitudinally bowed guide rod positioned directly above the yoke and said bight portion and having its ends fixedly suspended between and coplanar with said upstanding ends, an axle, means adapted to join one end of said axle to the shaft of a puttenand a roller mounted for rotation on said axle, said roller adapted to ride rearwardly and forwardly on said guide rod.

4. A golf ball putting device comprising, in combination, a longitudinally bowed guide rod; support means for said rod, said rod being fixed lengthwise atop said support means and adapted when in use to assume a generally horizontal position; a putter; readily applicable and removable putter supporting and handling means embodying a clamp including an elongate body provided at one end with an integral axially extending axle and provided at the other end with a fork, said fork axially aligned with said body, said fork embodying a pair of spaced parallel fingers straddling the shaft of said putter, means carried by said fingers removably securing them to said shaft, said axle projecting at right angles from a side of said shaft diametrically opposite to the side from which the head of the putter projects; a putter supporting and guiding roller mounted for free rotation on said axle, said roller resting on and being manually rollable back and forth on said guide rod, the arcuity of said guide rod being set to raise said head on the backswing and also on the forward follow through, whereby the head throughout its stroke is constantly disposed and maintained at right angles to the intended path of movement of the ball which is struck thereby, and said roller being of an outside diameter proportional to but greater than the outside diameter of the aforementioned body, axle and fork.

References Citedin the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Chizewski Nov. 15, 1955 

3. A DEVICE FOR PRACTICING A PUTTING STROKE COMPRISING: A PORTABLE KNOCKDOWN TRIPODAL STAND EMBODYING AN INVERTED U-SHAPED MEMBER EMBODYING AN ELONGATED HORIZONTAL BIGHT PORTION PROVIDED AT ENDS THEREOF WITH DEPENDING LEGS, A PROP, SAID PROP PROVIDING A THIRD LEG AND HAVING AN UPPER END SEPARABLY JOINED TO A MEDIAN PORTION OF SAID BIGHT PORTION, AN ELONGATED LINERALY STRAIGHT YOKE RESIDING LENGTHWISE AND FASTENED REMOVABLY ATOP THE BIGHT PORTION, SAID YOKE BEING OF A LENGTH GREATER THAN THE LENGTH OF SAID BIGHT PORTION, SAID YOKE HAVING INTEGRAL UPSTANDING TERMINAL ENDS, A LONGITUDINALLY BOWED GUIDE ROD POSITIONED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE YOKE AND SAID BIGHT PORTION AND HAVING ITS ENDS FIXEDLY SUSPENDED BETWEEN AND COPLANAR WITH SAID UPSTANDING ENDS, AN AXLE, MEANS ADAPTED TO JOIN ONE END OF SAID AXLE TO THE SHAFT OF A PUTTER, AND A ROLLER MOUNTED FOR ROTATION ON SAID AXLE, SAID ROLLER ADAPTED TO RIDE REARWARDLY AND FORWARDLY ON SAID GUIDE ROD. 